1858 letter from a woman (not Baptist) to her mother. The new Baptist pastor, Rev. Mr. Fuller, has been boarding with her, and she writes about it. “He appears to be quite a smart man FOR A BAPTIST.” His salary is to be six hundred dollars. Elder Swan (no doubt Jabez Smith Swan), the great revivalist is holding forth now. He and Fuller baptized 14 last Sabbath. Fuller encouraged her to become Baptist, so she partly condescends by lending him her old overcoat which he dipped seven times. (Early April in Connecticut was probably pretty chilly for baptism.) “Don’t you think I am very near a Baptist now?” Swan will stay as long as he can ketch fish. He says he thinks it is the safest way to string your fish as fast as you ketch them, so he dips them as fast as they proselyte; James A. Langley material (see other items in this collection). Jim Langley was a pastor, long-term Executive-Director Minister of the DC Baptist Convention, editor of the Capital Baptist, and much more. Included here are some letters from him to Robert Hudson (donor), a booklet of his mostly published poems and hymns, and programs from his memorial service, at which Hudson spoke, at Langley’s request; Wm. P. Biddle (1788-1853) was a pastor in North Carolina for 50 years. He was co-author of the Baptist Hymn Book in 1825, a trustee of Wake Forest College, president of the state Baptist convention and a wealthy slave--holding farmer. This is a long letter to his son, Co. Samuel S. Biddle. In it, he mentions “the negroes” and “our blacks”. More appealing is his statement that, “It is pleasant to reflect that absent friends can meet at a Throne of Grace. I sometimes imagine a line ascending direct to that throne and another descending as direct to the prayed for.”